Centrorochas meets with Alckmin to help promote the Brazilian stone sector

On July 6th, in Brasilia, a meeting was held with the presence of the Vice President of Brazil and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), Geraldo Alckmin, to discuss the importance of Brazil as one of the main world players in the ornamental stone sector. The meeting was also attended by Fabio Cruz, vice president of the Brazilian Center of Natural Stone Exporters (Centrorochas), and was intermediated by the Government of Espírito Santo, through Bandes (Espírito Santo Development Bank).

During the meeting, the great potential of the sector in Brazil, which has the largest geodiversity in the world, was emphasized. The representative of the business sector also highlighted the low environmental impact of ornamental stone production compared to other covering options. The need for support from the Federal Government for logistical improvements planned in Espírito Santo, the state responsible for 82% of the country’s stone exports, was also discussed.

Fabio Cruz delivered a document reinforcing the support of the national sector to the Imetame Port Complex implementation project and requesting the collaboration of the Federal Government in the release of the first private Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the country, which will be operated within this port complex in construction in the city of Aracruz, northern region of Espírito Santo. Imetame Porto Aracruz, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, aims to serve several sectors in the loading and unloading of containers, general cargo and, of course, ornamental stones.

The agenda with the Federal Government was articulated by the Government of Espírito Santo, through Bandes, and was attended by the businessman and vice president of Centrorochas. The delegation also included Paulo Brusqui, special advisor to the governor of Espírito Santo, Renato Casagrande, and Marcos Kneip, director of New Business at Bandes.

In addition, the group had meetings at ApexBrasil during their stay in Brasilia. During the meeting with the Agency’s business director, Ana Paula Repezza, alternatives for the internationalization process of Brazilian companies in the stone sector were discussed, aiming to develop strategies to advance this process. Other ApexBrasil representatives, such as the Industry and Services Manager, Maria Paula Velloso, the Market Intelligence Manager, Igor Celeste, and the Regional Manager for Investment Attraction, Jacy Braga, also attended the meeting with the group.

It is relevant to mention that Centrorochas, in partnership with ApexBrasil, is performing the program “It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone“, which promotes exports of Brazilian ornamental stones through strategic internationalization actions, including promotion, image strengthening and development of the sector in the world market.